Get leave

[nyggus]

"I should like to see her," thought the soldier; but he could not get leave to do so.

What does this "get leave" mean?

Thanks,
Nyggus

[Anglika]

"leave of absence" = permission to be absent from your place of work/your duty.

A soldier will need to have leave of absence in order to visit his parents.

[nyggus]

"leave of absence" = permission to be absent from your place of work/your duty.

A soldier will need to have leave of absence in order to visit his parents.

The problem is this soldier had no work at this moment and was enjoying his free time and a wallet full of gold while thinking this!

Thanks, Anglika.
Nyggus

[Anglika]

He would need leave of absence if he is still a soldier, even though he has acquired all this gold.

A possible other interpretation is that he knocked on the door, asked to see the lady, and was told he couldn't - formal permission is an alternative meaning for the word in this kind of context.

Having re-read the tale, it is the second meaning that is intended. He couldn't get permission to see the princess.